PALMETTO- Getting on the bus or walking through a crowded coffee shop seems like a simple part of everyday life, but for someone living with vision loss, PTSD or any other disability, it can feel impossible.
“I had the best times of my life and the worst times of my life in the military, and when I got out things just changed for me. I got to the point where I really really needed some help,” said Army veteran, Sean Brown.
That’s where Southeastern Guide Dogs comes in. Southeastern Guide Dogs graduate, Brown says what his service dog Pella and other dogs do, isn’t life changing, its lifesaving.
“We’ve had over 115 service dog graduates come through, and we haven’t lost a single graduate to suicide,” said Brown.
Southeastern Guide Dog’s Beyond the Dark is a multi-sensory experience, allowing visitors to face the challenges of PTSD and vision loss.
“It opens up their eyes, so to speak, to what we deal with on a daily basis. The difference is they get to take the mask off at the end of the day,” said Brown.
Karen Bartoszek may have taken off the blind fold, but says her eyes were opened.
“Putting the blindfold on and realizing what it would be like and then hearing the stories and hearing the sounds, it’s transforming,” said Bartoszek.
Katie McCoy was born with a genetic disorder, Retinitis Pigmentosa, affecting her peripheral vision and ability to see in the dark. Now, McCoy is sharing her experience with her service dog Bristol.
“Bristol makes me feel happy, and she makes me feel safe and confident,” said McCoy.
After experiencing the dark, Bartoszek says she wants to help others walk into the light.
“To see that they can make a difference in somebodies life and help them get back to some sense of normalcy is amazing,” said Bartoszek.
